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Reviews
Sorry, Haters (2005)
Robin Wright Penn
The reason to watch this movie is Robin Wright Penn.
I won't bother giving you a summary of the plot, as others have already given sufficient plot summaries. But I will speak on the absolute brilliance of Robin Wright Penn.
Penn plays a woman who, in post-9/11 New York, longs to reproduce the feeling she felt on that great day. I'm trying not to come even close to a spoiler here, but let's just say that she has fears, insecurities, and all kinds of issues that make her long for the safety and comfort she experienced on September 11, 2001. This movie does a great job of illustrating how that great and tragic day meant different things to different people. And as crazy as it may sound to some of us, there were actually people (non-terrorists/non "haters of America and the freedom that she stands for") who took some degree of comfort in the chaos and terror of that day. Penn's character is one of those people. And as we come to understand who she is (and who she isn't) we find ourselves feeling a combination of absolute disgust and quiet pity that could only be produced by an actress as talented as Robin Wright Penn.
"Sorry Haters" makes you think about September 11, in a way you might never have otherwise considered. It makes you think about American culture and how isolating and lonely it can be. And it also makes you rethink personal responsibility and the culture of victimhood that is so pervasive in our culture today. It accomplishes all of these things through Robin Wright Penn. And I can think of few other American actresses who could have pulled this off.
Norma's Lament (1997)
Every Girl's Lament
I saw this movie recently (and quite by accident), and I have been searching for The Talented Ms. Booth ever since. Because this movie was made in 1997 and I didn't see it until 2006, I made an effort to transport myself back to the time of production. That done, I realized how provocative, insightful, and risky this movie actually is. And thank Jehovah, Oprah, and The Baby Jesus for that.
Without giving too much away, this movie tells the story of Norma, a level-headed African American girl in New York City. Norma meets boy. Falls in love with boy. Learns some disturbing truths about boy. And is then forced to make some decisions. Sounds simple enough. Except that Norma's decisions are drastic and beautifully symbolic. And they help to shatter this completely ridiculous idea that Black Women are to stand by Black Men at all costs, even when that cost is their own dignity, self-respect, integrity, and happiness.
I love Norma for what she did and for the myths she shattered in the process. I love Norma's friends for being strong enough to support her through her decision. And I love Christina Booth for telling some truths that I so needed to hear when I was 18.
I expect to see great things from Ms. Booth in the future. And you should too.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Doesn't Miss a Beat
What can I say? This movie doesn't miss a beat. Nor does it miss an opportunity to make you bend over with laughter. "Little Miss Sunshine" really is one of the best and most complete movies I've seen in the theater in quite some time.
We all know the premise: "dysfunctional" family goes on a road trip and all sorts of interesting things happen along the way. Basic enough. Except that this is a rare road trip movie where the characters are actually interesting, the family dynamic is actually believable (and therefore not always pretty), and the road trip itself actually serves a purpose and helps the characters evolve, both individually and as a family unit.
An then there is the funny. "Little Miss Sunshine" is seriously funny. And it is so while also managing to be sad and painful and honest and encouraging.
See this movie. You will love it.